The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-01-27

however, there was practical and universal
pOlytheism. Idolatry was the prevailing usage.
Abrams Call came to him at Ur when he was
20 years old. (11;31.) Then he went to Haran,
% miles south of Ur. Remaining Eve years,
he set out for Sichem, 500 miles southwest.
Next he went to Bethel. 18 miles south of
Sichem. When rs years old he went to Egypt,
go miles southwest. His nth year saw him
in the land Of the Pharaohs. Soon he left to
return to Bethel. First he stopped for awhile
in the South. BY the South " is meant the
land bounding Canaan to the south. 12:9;
1917 The word for South is really proper
name, to wit, Negeb. From Negeb (the SOUTH
he migrated back to the second place at which
he stopped in Canaan after leaving Haran
az: 81, viz, between Bethel and Hal. Hal was
five miles east of Bethel, and il seems Abrams
altar was constructed about midway. (I2:5)
Lot accompanied Abram and Sarai out from
Egypt. 1t is evident that Abrams party con-
sisted of large number. Compare ID II.
See "ali. /" V. IL Verse tells US about the herd
men Of Abram and Lot. This verse helps I'M
derstand the word souls" (12: 81 All we know
by name Of the Abramic company are three
Abram, Sarai, Lot. 1t seems these had no of
spring.. The rest Of the party must have been
servants, with their wives and children. 1t is
thought there were several hundred such sery-
ants. 1t is certain Abrsm and Lot would need
large numbers TO care for 80 much property,
and that almost entirely in live stock.
Leaving Egypt, he first goes to Negeb,
journey Of about $50 miles. Pausing for only
little time, he pushes on to Bethel, about 100
miles more.
We find Abrams company back home at
Bethel. He resumes worship probably at the
same altar he built there on FIRST arriving.
They were hardly settled again when difficulty
originated.
Both Abram aud Lot were rich. Their
wealth consisted, as verse declares, In cattle,
silver, gold; and, rs verse 5 adds, in focks,
herds, tents; and further, as "a . IS states, in
men servants and maid servants, and camels
and asses. Their substance was great" Nv.
g. 1t seems they kept their property separate
as to ownership. (l3:5.) Abram had his serv-
ants to care for his cattle, and Lot had another
body of servants for his herdmen- Men were
then in general naturally attached to those
for whom they worked, and indeed persons
should always prefer their own employers.
Compare 90 :20.) Men engaged for others
should be jealous Of their interests as opposed to
the interests of men for whom they are not
working. With limited pasturage it was no
wonder there should be trouble. Compare
36:7) The herdmen took up sides. Abund-
ance produced difficulty. When Abram and
Lot possessed less, they lived in harmony.
Wealth is very jealous of its rights. 1t was
evident something must be done. It was bet
ter to separate and be peaceable than 10 remain
loeStheI 10 ludTIcl- IIcE6 was lauu
for both, allowing of fresh and abundant pas
turage. That was a magnanimous proposition
made by Abram. The two were talking over
their difficulties when Abram said: "Well we
must have more room. Certainly all quarrel
ing must cease. will stay here and you Lott
go in any direction you choose, or you remain
here and will look out for place suitable for
my herds. We shall still be brethren. 1t
would be better to keep in the vicinity of each
N mi Tnt 10
choice" Wewould suppose the nephew would
answer: No, Uncle Abram. you are the supe-
rior, the older, the one to whom in fact all the
territory belongs Us: y; you make the selec-
tion. III you prefer to remain here will find
another spot. If you choose another, / will
gladly seek fresh pastures" On the other hand
Lot seized the chance for first selection. He
was deliberate. He wanted to find out where
the choicest lands offered best pasturage. He
was selfish. He had an eye to business. In
selecting he did not take into consideration
moral and religious questions. Aterritory may
be very fruitful and beautiful, so like the Gar
den Of the Lord-viz., Eden q 10; Isa., 81 81
or Paradise-as to vie with Lombardy, or with
the most fertile lands os Egypt, and yet be sur
rounded by pestilential evils, immersed in cor
ruptiou of all sorts Of wickedness But all Lot
considered was the fact whether the region
which he should choose was superior to any Of
the rest Of the country. He wanted the best
OF the bargain. He took advantage of the lib
erty profiered him by his uncle. He pitched
his tent toward Sodom," (Y ~, notwithstand-
ing "the men of Sodom were wicked and sim
ners before the Lord exceedingly" (V. 13)
No wonder st. Peter tells Us Lot was "vexed
with the filthy conversation Of the wicked; for
that righteous man (Lot) dwelling among them
the Sodomites) in seeing and hearing. vexed
his righteous soul from day to day with their
unlawful deeds" e Pet, 2:7, 8) The con-
sequences which befel Lot proved how unwise
was his choice. We have account of the de-
struction of Sodom (V. 10y in 10: 23-25. It oc-
Cured about 80 years after Lots choice.
Queries: What did Abram and Lot do
with their cattlef Were they dealers? Did
they sell live stock to the Canaanitess
Was 1t thus they received gold and sill
veI2 Were these metals in the form of coin
or money! What need had they of cash?
Was Bethel sort of Chicago and Abram and
Lot shippers Of cattle? By what conveyances
did they travel from Egypt to Bethel? We're
live sacrifices offered on the altar at Bethel?
What were the victims? Was Abram a Priest |?
How did Abram and Lot arrange with the Ca
naanites as to the occupancy of pasture lands?
We are interested in practical uses to be made
Of the lesson.
1. 1t is not wrong to possess riches. No fault
can be found with Abram and Lot on this score
They were both evideatly thorough, indus
trlouS, economical business men. What they
owned they doubtless obtained honestly. The
Bible encourages thrift. Nothing is said against
the accumulation of wealth providingt the means
DO proper and the acquisitions rightly used.
Every one may wish well for a rancheman. As
n rule shepherding and herding are honorable
and paying vacations.
2. Never forget religious duties. Though
travelling Abram maintained fidelity TO worship.
A popularity, too. in this respect is that he did
not lesson his religious interest or neglect his
forms of serving God when he became rich.
Great earthly prosperity often causes really
pious men to lower their devotional spirit, or
wholly to lose their religious zeal. Success on
earth which leads to failure in Heaven is q kind
of which a man who is influenced by Christian
ambition will be coy. (Ps, I16 ny
8. Be peaceful. (Ro., II: 49, Try to quiet
all disorders. Be willing to sacrifice personal
ease and preference in concern for unity Away
with all strifel (Ps., 1881 How beautifully
Abram anticipated one of Christ's beatitgdes :
MT, %. Compare Pro-, Is; 1 Ro., IL: 10, 81 !;
Cor, 13; Heb, l3:1.) 1t is better to separate
than to quarrel, and so Abrams suggestion was
wise q TIL, $50, ii, 15.) Be peaceful peace
makers, followers of the Prince of Peace
4. Keep out of bad company. How much
force in that word but" (V. 49, The land
was we'll watered and verify it resembled in
beauty and verdure even Eden ITSELF (V. 10, J
g bit the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners
| before the Lord, exceedingly" Often We see
very depraved men with residences on most
lovely spots Tho case Of Lot teaches us care
as to religious surroundings and associations.
| (Ps., 1: 1; Pro, 1: 10-l6; 4 IA; 1890; Rev.,
18.1l IL Ia ineopgruous for n osoad man 10 ha